SolarCity and Oakwood Homes Offer Solar Systems on New Homes in Denver

Homebuyers can go solar with no addition to purchase price, take advantage of savings from day one

DENVER, Colo., Feb. 3, 2014 — Oakwood Homes, Colorado’s largest private homebuilder and community developer, is offering a solar power option on new homes in its Carriage House and upcoming Tollgate communities through a partnership with SolarCity (Nasdaq: SCTY). The arrangement between SolarCity , America’s No. 1 full-service solar power provider, and Oakwood Homes makes it possible for many homebuyers to install solar panels for free—with zero additional cost to the purchase price of the home—and pay less for solar electricity than they pay for utility bills.

The program has already proved popular: Since opening for sale in 2013, 80 percent of homebuyers who have purchased a home in the Carriage House community have opted to have a solar system installed from SolarCity. The solar power can allow homebuyers to save thousands of dollars on their electricity bills over the next two decades.

“With the option for new homebuyers to have solar power without adding a dime to the price of the home, it’s easier than ever for buyers to say yes to green, clean energy,” said Dwayne Montoya, Oakwood Homes Regional Sales Manager. “We’re happy to provide a sustainable solar option with SolarCity that is not only good for the environment, but a sound financial decision for our homebuyers.”

Oakwood Homes takes pride in building homes with a purposeful, efficient design as part of their EnergySmart program, which aims to reduce energy costs for homeowners by utilizing a range of energy-efficient features, including ENERGY STAR rated appliances, high efficiency water fixtures and extensive insulation with 100-percent recycled materials. The Carriage House community features 110 homes built to EnergySmart standards. Solar power can enable homeowners to reduce their utility bills by hundreds of dollars each year on top of the savings they realize from being more energy efficient. The Carriage House community is located in Green Valley Ranch, one of Denver’s fastest growing master-planned communities, with homes for sale from the high $100s to the $300s.

“With energy from SolarCity, Oakwood Homes buyers can benefit from solar power and the associated savings immediately,” said Walter Cuculic, SolarCity’s national manager of Builder Programs. “By eliminating upfront costs, we’ve made it easier for homebuilders to offer solar benefits to their customers, and homebuyers to take advantage of cleaner, more affordable energy.”

Solar options at the Carriage House community range from 2.5 to 5 kilowatt systems and are custom designed by SolarCity to maximize savings and efficiency. SolarCity provides homebuilders across the country with a range of solar services that include customer assistance, monitoring, insurance and repairs for homebuyers. SolarCity currently works with more than 100 builders in nine states across the U.S.

For additional details, please visit the Carriage House community at 4792 Ceylon St. in Denver, Colo.

The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is a green living expert, celebrity and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author, Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and a Environmental Consultant on green living. The Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides and more. Seth's books range from:
# Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions)
# Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle by Seth Leitman
# Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel
# Green Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky
# Solar Power For Your Home by David Findley
# Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke
# Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley
# Build Your Own Small Wind Power System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea
# and more green living books to follow.